2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

[ElleElleG]

WELCOME TO YEAR 11 OF THE NO-BUY/LOW-BUY THREAD HAS ARRIVED

There's been quite a buzz around starting no/low-buys for 2025. I'm excited about the growing interest and hope this thread can help everyone achieve their respective goals.

The original threads were created by @lnum , here's how she described the purpose of this challenge:

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

Feel free to share your goals, items that tempt you, missteps (we don't believe in failures), and any successes.  Above all else, encourage and support one another.

Additional insights from @lnum (circa 2016, Challenge Year 3):

Spoiler

My motto for this thread is that I strongly believe, even on a budget, you can have the things you want that make you happy without feeling like you're limiting yourself.

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

I am so excited to spend another year with you all. If it wasn't for the first two years of this thread, I would never have been able to cut down my beauty spending. My goal for this year is to maintain low spending on beauty, and cut down my clothing purchases. I will be funneling that money into traveling, which is what I have done in the past and it's a great goal that truly motivates me.

I'm still so proud of everyone for making it through 2015 and 2016, limiting ourselves in the beauty product area in order to improve our lives in other areas. We all did great and here's to another year of learning and saving!

Interested in Other Challenges/Threads that may help your no/low-buy goals? Check here:

Spoiler

Pan It! - 2024 Challenge
Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge
What are you wearing today Pt2
Love At First Sample!!! 🥰
Makeup Challenge of the Week 2021/2022/2023/2024

*Feel free to PM me if there are additional challenges that should be added*

Curious about past threads? Links to all here:

Spoiler

2015 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB-ROUGE/2015-The-No-Buy-Low-Buy-Budget-Buy-Accountability-and-Sup...

2016 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2016-The-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/t...

2017 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2017-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/m...

2018 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2018-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2019 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2019-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2020 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2020-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2021 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2021-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2022/2023 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2022-amp-2023-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACC...

2024 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2024-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

I'll share my personal goals in a follow up post.

[itsfi]

lol, sometimes it works out better when the choice is made for us @Samtian. There's been a couple of products I've swapped in and out a couple of times already and I just need to stick to the decision to have them in my project pan. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi You can always switch every other month too. Yeah it's way easier if the decision is made for you lol. 

[lnum]

Thanks for keeping this going @ElleElleG . This year I’m extending my low buy to pretty much everything (especially clothing, I was not good with avoiding clothing purchases last year) as I plan to save up for a lot of other goals I would like to accomplish. I am saving up for a big trip in a few years (hopefully Galapagos) and moving into a new apartment in the next year or two as well! 

[peculiarzmakeup]

These are such amazing goals! It’s awesome to have things on a vision board! I feel it’s so helpful to know those specific meaningful things that your saving for i feel like that will help alot. Great job! @lnum 

[CynthieLu]

With wonderful goals like this in your mind @lnum I think you'll do really well. Good luck this year!! 💚

[itsfi]

AAhhhh, those are two spectacular goals @lnum - great incentive to keep spending to a minimum. I 100% agree with a low buy across the board. Now, I just need to be more consistent with that throughout the year.

[Samtian]

@lnum That will be an amazing trip!

[blackkitty2014]

This year I would like to do the following;

1) No buy on base products (primers, foundation and powder). Normally I was doing good in this department but last year I went a bit Gaga by buying new products or backup of favorite. I would like to get back on track. No buys until I used up whatever I have

2) Low buy on lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes; wait couple days or weeks before making any purchase. I ran out of space and face to wear them 🤣😂

3) Be mindful on spending. So so much waste

[peculiarzmakeup]

Great goals! For the year! I love reading everyone’s goals because everyone has different things they gravitate too mine is blush, i have so many blushes. I love the use a certain amount before getting more, that’s always very helpful! You are doing great! @blackkitty2014  ❤️

[Titian06]

@blackkitty2014 - "I ran out of...face."  LOL!  Haven't we all! 🤣💖🥰

[CynthieLu]

That got me to @Titian06 @blackkitty2014 😆 well said lol

[blackkitty2014]

Hehehe @Titian06 😂 Seriously I need more faces to wear all the beauty junks I bought 😂🤣

[Titian06]

Hi, all!  I already broke my low-buy.  Well, technically, it was a low buy; but I usually make it to the Spring sale before I buy anything. 😖  I bought 4 nail polishes on a 50% off clearance.  Since 3 of them are on my wish list, I told myself it was now or never.  I'm disappointed I couldn't use my Rewards points to pay for the purchase.

Like the rest of you, I need to use from my stash.  I also have a multitude of hair products that I need to get through before buying anything new.

As for my nail polish collection, no more nail polish until I wear half of what I already have! 🤣

[peculiarzmakeup]

Hi @Titian06 

I think you’re doing great! 

I look forward to seeing your nail looks! ❤️  

Also love the goal you set! 
I appreciate you sharing the experience 🌼

[Titian06]

@peculiarzmakeup @CynthieLu - I just bought two Chanel LE lipsticks.  Ugh...not my best start on a low buy! 😆

[CynthieLu]

Oooh LE is a huge temptation. 🙈  @Titian06 I get it.

You can always start your low buy tomorrow, slips happen right? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

You didn’t buy 3 so you’re off to a good start! I feel like it’s okay the pace one goes I feel like it evens out maybe but it’s good too be accountable! And I bet they are really beautiful 🩷 you should’ve seen my first year buying crystals 🤣 now I buy like 1 every six months so it has a way of working out ❤️❤️❤️ @Titian06 

[Titian06]

You're too kind, @peculiarzmakeup ! 😘

[CynthieLu]

Hey, it sounds like you have a plan going forward @Titian06 you can do it!! Congrats on getting some of your wishlist for a steal of a deal thou. 

I'm with you. It's time to shop my stash and save $ for the really special purchases. Saving yourself for the spring sale, I want to do the same. 🙏

[danielledanielle]

Ok, I'm back!!!  I think I already had a weak moment and caved, but hey, I'm here!!!!

So, I have a big purchase three intentional ones and then I am going to try to cool it.  I can usually make it until the Spring on a low-buy.  Not yet up for no-buy.  I fell apart around the Spring sale, got to find a replacement endorphin boost 😂 in 2025.

[AMK721]

@danielledanielle I hear ya and completely understand. We should think about what would give us that same rush. 🤔